Author's notes: So, if you skipped the fun bits from last chapter, you're gonna wanna skip the very beginning of this one, too. Sorry, but really not sorry ;D So this is the last chapter, and I just realized that I haven't thanked everyone who has commented and/or favorited. THANK YOU! It truly is appreciated, and it warms my heart. Thank you all for going through this journey with me. It was my first lengthy fic, AND my first smutty one. Love ya! And this chapter's title is from the cover by Twenty-One Pilots, Can't Help Falling in Love.
Arthur woke to his hips rolling upwards, but he couldn't remember the reason. When his eyes opened, he looked to the side, but Merlin wasn't there. His heart started to fall, but then his eyes rolled back into his head when something wet and hot enveloped the erection he didn't know he had. He quickly looked down his body and saw a person sized lumped between his spread legs, but beneath the blankets. When his mind caught up to his body, he moaned obscenely, alerting Merlin that his king was awake.
Merlin hummed his good morning, making Arthur's hips roll involuntarily again. Arthur shoved his hands under the blankets and grabbed two fistfuls of Merlin's incredibly soft dark brown hair. He wasn't forcing Merlin's head up or down, he just needed something to hang onto, because his world was practically spinning off its axis.
Merlin pulled off Arthur's cock, but stroked it with his hand to keep Arthur interested. He flung the covers off his head, and winked at Arthur with a cheeky grin. "Rise and shine, sire."
"Oh god, you are insufferable," Arthur moaned, feigning irritation. Arthur's fingers curled and uncurled as Merlin tightened his hold at Arthur's tone. "Ah," Arthur's breaths stuttered, caught between mild discomfort and pleasure. Merlin gave Arthur a look, and Arthur immediately knew what he needed to do get Merlin to resumes his prior ministration. "S-sorry," he smirked, not sounding sorry at all, but Merlin allowed it.
Going back down on Arthur's erection, Merlin decided to play dirty. He kitten-licked the tip until Arthur was squirming uncontrollably, then while Arthur was distracted, Merlin opened his mouth, and swallowed Arthur down as far as he could go without gagging. Arthur cried out in surprised ecstasy, and had to bit down on his lip hard to keep from coming down Merlin's throat without warning. He did have some manner, he was king afterall.
If Merlin could grinning evilly right now, he would, but he was otherwise occupied. He brought his mischievous blue eyes up to see how his king was faring, and he liked what he saw. Arthur's eyes were closed so tight, his forehead was furrowed, and he could see the veins in his arms because he was keeping himself from clenching Merlin's hair too tightly, which was appreciated.
However, Merlin wanted to play dirty, and Arthur lasting long was not in the playbook. So Merlin bobbed his head up and down shallowly a few times as he moved his hand further down Arthur's body. When Merlin's hand was in position, he again sucked down Arthur's cock as far as he could, but this time he circled the tip if his index finger around Arthur's slightly abused entrance.
Arthur gasped loudly, and without his body consulting his mind first, he came so hard down Merlin's sinful throat that he saw stars. Merlin was expecting it though, and was able to pull back slightly so he didn't choke as he swallowed.
Merlin licked the last of the come from Arthur's cock, and sat up on his knee between Arthur's thighs. Merlin crawled forward so that he was straddling Arthur's hips, and ran his hands down his chest and over his upper thighs, waiting for Arthur to focus again. Merlin bit his upper lip when his hand strayed too close to his own erection. Oh sod it, he could start without Arthur.
Merlin firmly grasped his aching shaft and began to stroke it firmly up and down, looking into Arthur's eyes and waiting for them register his position. When it finally happened, Merlin smirked cheekily at him, and twisted his fist on the down stroke, causing his breathing to hiccup. Arthur's eye widened in shock, but then narrowed in lust, but kept his hands to himself, determined to let Merlin do all the work this morning.
When Merlin saw Arthur's post-orgasmic, lustful eyes, his hand sped up and his hips started to thrust back into his hand of their own accord. No matter how hard his eyes tried to roll back, Merlin kept them locked onto Arthur's. Gods they were a perfect shade of blue, Merlin thought absently.
Merlin shuffled forward a bit more so that his knees were now on either side of Arthur's rib-cage. Merlin's hand was now flying up and down his shaft, out of control. When he felt the fire in his gut start to roil, his heated gaze turned questioning, and Arthur smirked knowingly, letting Merlin know it was okay. Merlin groaned out Arthur's name as he came all over Arthur's neck and collarbone, his eyes finally snapping shut.
Merlin flopped forward onto Arthur dramatically, stretching his legs out behind him to get more comfortable. Arthur chuckled and brought his arms up to wrap around Merlin's shoulders, and kissed Merlin's head. "Gods, I love you, you idiot." Arthur said without thinking.
But it made Merlin tense. He knew Arthur loved him, he proved it last night. But to hear Arthur say it so freely and without care made Merlin's heart clench. He still didn't feel like he deserved it after everything he put them through.
Arthur felt Merlin tense, and rubbed his arms up and down Merlin's back. "It's -uh- okay, if you don't say it back. I understand." Arthur muttered, not really meaning it. He was a bit confused on how things had gotten here. They had just been so content. What went wrong?
Merlin knew Arthur didn't mean what he said, which made his jaw start to quiver has he held back tears he was sick of crying. His breathing started to stutter, and Arthur grew concerned. "Merlin, what's wrong? Look at me?"
Merlin turned his head from where it had been crammed in Arthur's neck, and smashed it on Arthur's chest instead, not want Arthur to see him cry again.
Arthur brought his hands up to Merlin's hair, and stroked, hoping to calm him. "Hey, I-I'm sorry. You can forget I said anything if it will make you stop crying. But, please stop, I don't like seeing you like this," Arthur pleaded.
That only made Merlin's next inhale become a sob as he pressed his face harder into Arthur's chest. "How can you love me so easily after what I kept from you? I almost ruined everything we had, just because I was scared." Merlin mumbled, clutching onto Arthur's hip bones.
Arthur felt relief sweep through him, and brought his hands from Merlin's hair to his jaw to get Merlin to look him in the eyes. Merlin did so reluctantly. Arthur had a small smile on his face as he looked into Merlin's gorgeous face and said, "Because I loved you before all that, and what you said doesn't change who I fell in love with." That made Merlin's eyes widen, and his lips quiver again, but in happiness this time. Arthur continued, "And because, if I had been in your shoes, I might have done the same thing. Camelot was a very dangerous place for you when you first got here, and it was only more so when you were anointed as my personal servant. So I understand. It doesn't mean that I don't wish you didn't tell me earlier, it just means I understand why you didn't." Arthur wiped his thumbs under Merlin's big blue eyes, and said, "So please stop crying, you'll make start doing it, too."
Merlin laughed wetly, and wiped his face with the back of his hand. He leaned forward, and lightly kissed Arthur on the lips. "I love you, too. And I'm so sorry." Arthur smiled his acceptance, and kissed Merlin back, just as sweetly.
"Okay, we need to get up and get moving. Big day ahead," Arthur said, smacking Merlin on the bum and trying to move out from underneath him, knowing if he didn't, he would stay in bed and keep Merlin captive. But he had a kingdom to run.
Merlin groaned as he rolled off Arthur, wrapping himself up in the sheets. "But there's always a big day ahead. You and Gaius are constantly telling me that," Merlin grumbled, rolling onto his front and burying his head under the pillow as Arthur got out of bed.
Arthur pulled some clothes from his wardrobe, and put them on. When he finished, he walked up to his hiding lover, and snatched the sheets from his body. Merlin shouted out in shock, and immediately curled into a ball to protect himself from the chilliness of the room. "Hey!"
"Get up, Merlin. We have to go meet Mordred. He wanted to talk to us about something," Arthur said as he threw the sheets into a corner of the room so Merlin couldn't wrap himself in them again.
Merlin slithered out of bed, and grumbled hateful words under his breath as he got dressed.
Merlin and Arthur met Mordred in the throne room approximately twenty minutes later. Mordred turned around to greet them, and noticed the marks on Arthur's neck, but he just smiled to himself and kept his mouth shut as he thought, 'Finally. Gwen will be pleased.'
"Ah, Your Highness, Merlin," Mordred nodded his greeting to each man as he addressed them. "I have asked to meet you because I have some news." Mordred cleared his throat and decided to just spit it out. "I'm stepping down as Court Sorcerer."
Arthur sputtered, and Merlin's eyes widened in surprise, his jaw dropping. "But, I thought you loved this job?" Merlin asked, confused and more than a little crestfallen.
"I do, don't get me wrong. I just don't think that I am the best one for it."
"But, you were the best person I interviewed. There is literally no one else I can think of that can do this better than you can," Merlin said, pleading with his eyes to get Mordred to reconsider.
"Actually, My Lord," Mordred addressed Arthur who had yet to speak. "If I may suggest a replacement?" Arthur shrugged. "I think it should be Emrys."
Merlin choked on his own spit, his eyes bugging out of his head. "Bu-but. I'm not- I have no idea how- what?!" Merlin sputtered, looking back and forth between Mordred and Arthur, who, to his utter bewilderment, seemed to be considering the suggestion. "Arthur?" Merlin asked, wondering how Arthur could possibly think that was a good idea.
Arthur hummed, but turned to Mordred, "And what would you do?"
Mordred actually blushed a bit, "I was, uh, thinking , er hoping, rather, that I could be some sort of emissary between you and the druids. I've been thinking a lot about it lately, and it seems be too much for the Court Sorcerer to see to the citizens' needs and the druid's, especially since the druids never stay in one place. The druids need more attention than the Court Sorcerer can afford to give them, but reparations need to be made."
Arthur smirked as he listened to Mordred ramble on, obviously nervous about having put so much thought into a hypothetical position. "Well, I agree. We do need someone to act as a go between for us and the druids." Mordred smiled, relieved that he could stop talking. "But," and his smile faded, "You'll have to convince Merlin to take your job first. I don't feel like going through interviews again." Arthur said nonchalantly. He already knew Merlin would take the job, but only if he had Mordred's explicit consent to do so.
Mordred gave Merlin the biggest, most innocent puppy eye's Arthur has ever seen. "Merlin, please? You deserve to be Court Sorcerer. You're more powerful than I will ever be." When Mordred saw he wasn't making the right argument, he switched gears. "Plus, you'll be in a better position to protect the kingdom. And Arthur." Merlin gave Mordred a glare for hitting his weak spot, but Mordred continued anyways. "Please? For me? I want to see my people again."
Merlin sighed, and gave in. "Well how can I say no to that look? Gods! Turn it off, it's too much." Mordred smiled triumphantly.
Merlin smiled back, and wasn't surprised when Mordred crushed him in a hug. "Thank you so much. I've been wanting to go back home for a while. Been feeling homesick." Mordred smiled sheepishly."
Mordred released Merlin from the hug, and excused himself with a gracious thank you to Arthur. Merlin turned to face the king, feeling sheepish himself. "So… you're okay with this? You don't think it's moving a bit too fast?"
Arthur seriously thought about it a moment, then shrugged. "Nah. Mordred sort of hinted that he would prefer you to be Court Sorcerer when he explained who Emrys was, so I shouldn't be surprised. I'm just glad he still wants to work with us."
"About that Emrys thing..." Merlin said guiltily.
Arthur waved his hand dismissively. "As I said, Mordred already explained it, and I told you that I understand. No need for more apologies."
Merlin smiled softly, then looked around the room to make sure the doors were closed properly. When he noticed a window open a bit, his eyes flashed gold, and it closed gently. Then Merlin stepped into Arthur's personal space, and quickly pecked Arthur on the the lips. "Thank you."
"No problem," Arthur said lowly, quirking his lips. "But if you're going to kiss me when we're alone, you better do it properly," Arthur rumbled in a seductive voice. He brought Merlin close to his body with a hand on the back of Merlin's neck and the other around his waist. He then winked at Merlin cheekily, and Merlin chuckled, crashing his lips against Arthur's; properly this time.
A few minutes of heated kisses later, Arthur pulled away for breath, and whispered in Merlin's ear, "You know, since you now have an official title, you'll get chambers of your own." Arthur nibbled on Merlin's ear suggestively. Merlin hummed his query. "Yes, and it just so happens that the ones next to mine, are unoccupied."
"Oh?" Merlin asked breathlessly, gripping onto Arthur's shoulders for stability as Arthur assaulted his neck.
"Mmhmm," Arthur answered.
"Good. But I don't think I'll get much use out of them. Do you?"
In answer, Arthur surged upwards, and trapped Merlin's mouth in another heated round of kissing that didn't end for several minutes. When they finally pulled apart, smiling devilishly at each other, they straightened their clothes, flattened hair, and left the room to get all the new changes sorted before announcing Merlin as the new Court Sorcerer to the kingdom.